Characterization of Irreversible Land Subsidence in the Yazd?Ardakan Plain, Iran From 2003 to 2020 InSAR Time Series

Groundwater extraction rates exceeding recharge are occurring throughout Iran to sustain industrial and agricultural activities, resulting in land deformation many areas, particularly the Yazd-Ardakan Plain (YAP) central Iran's dry desert regions. In this study, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) time series analysis statistical models applied characterize controls on subsidence YAP from 2003 2020. Our results reveal existence of a northwest-southeast elongated area 234.45 km2 experiencing at up 15 cm/yr. YAP, international Airport, railway, transit road, several historical sites threatened by differential subsidence. Well data confirm that groundwater levels have decreased 18 meters between 1974 2018, driving compaction sediments within underlying aquifer system. shows thickness shallow, clay-rich aquitard layer extent observed Independent Component Analysis InSAR inelastic is dominated. This work reveals current practices not sustainable result permanent subsidence, ground fractures with impact infrastructures, decrease water storage capacity.